The partnership streamlines the process with which top performing athletes can earn a place at multiple Sanctionals by reducing the burden of competing in multiple qualifiers throughout the season.

Travis Mayer said he will decline his invitation, and if Noah Ohlsen, Kari Pearce or Sara Sigmundsdottir — who placed second and third in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively — also decline their invitation to compete at Fittest in Cape Town, event organizers will not extend invitations to athletes further down the roster.

“We are too close to the competition and the admin process could get too drawn out,” Competition Director Chris Oman said in an email.

Shortly after the Wodapalooza podium ceremony Sunday, Pearce and Mayer told event staff that they were unsure I’d they would accept their Cape Town invites. Mayer later stated in an Instagram post Monday that he’d be taking time off competing to prepare for the Open.

They’ll have until 8pm GMT+2 (10am PT) this Thursday, January 24th, to finalize their decision and accept or decline their invite to Cape Town.

If any of the top 5 athletes in Miami decline their invite to Brazil, the invites will be extended to other athletes later in the season according to event director Jobst Olschewski following “other Sanctional events – or post Open when the majority of athletes know if they have a spot at the Games or not.”

Unfortunately for Brazil their event takes place the same weekend in May as the Rogue Invitational. Pearce, Sara Sigmundsdottir, Kristin Holte, Patrick Vellner, and Noah Ohlsen – who finished in the top-5 at Wodapalooza – have already been confirmed to compete at Rogue, meaning their invites to Brazil will be declined.

Athletes will have until 2pm EST on Friday, January 25th, to formally accept their invite to Brazil.

Editor’s Note 4:50 PM: This story was updated to reflect that Travis Mayer has declined his invitation